Combination night light and refreshant dispenser



April 26, 1966 R- w. TITMAS 3,248,530

COMBINATION NIGHT LIGHT AND REFRESHANT DISPENSER Filed July 2, 1964 2, Sheets-Sheet 1 /0 /A '23 24 22 MC I N VENTOR.

Egya'zfada Z7 ZZZ fla BY ATTORNEYS R. W. TITMAS April 26, 1966 COMBINATION NIGHT LIGHT AND REFRESHANT DISPENSER Filed July 2,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVIIN'I'UA.

United States Patent 3,248,530 COMBINATION NIGHT LIGHT AND REFRESHANT DISPENSER Reginald Wollaston Titmas, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Williams Plasti-Chemicals Corporation, Chicago, 111.,

a corporation of Illinois Filed July 2, 1964, Ser. No. 379,839 Claims. (Cl. 240-2) This invention relates generally to plastic fabrication and more specifically relates to a combination night light and refreshant dispenser and method of making same.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, it is contemplated that there be provided a switch and socket construction which holds a source of illumination such as a small light bulb. Surrounding the base of the bulb is a collar on which is received in a friction-fit relationship a two-piece modular plastic enclosure having formed thereon two reservoirs at opposite sides thereof. Thus, a drop of perfume or a small quantity of other refreshant may be placed in either one of the reservoirs and the perfume will be atomized by the heat of the light source to act as a refreshant in the room. The

device may be inverted or selectively angularly adjusted,

thereby to place the other reservoir in an operative position for reception of another refreshant or the housing may be positioned sideways for aesthetic selectivity.

It is specifically contemplated by the present invention that the enclosure be formed as a module, two cup-shaped modules being placed in edge engagement with one another and by the use of electrical circuits in which the vibration of electrical charges takes place, supersonic vibrations between the abutment surfaces are effected, thereby to provide an integral sonic weldment which unites the modules infirm assembly withone another without the necessity of any adhesives or special connecting joints.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to

Yet another object of the present invention is to pro- 7 vide a multiple reservoir night light and refreshant dispenser which may be selectively angularly positioned to locate difierent reservoirs in operative dispensing relationship.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a combination night light and refreshant dispenser having a friction fit collar which may be selectively angularly rotated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a night light enclosure which may be readily combined with an electrical switch and receptacle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a night light enclosure which is aesthetically pleasing in appearance and utilitarian in purpose for eflecting a soft diffusion of light rays and a dispensing of refreshants.

Many other objects, features and additional advantages of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view taken in plan of a single module used in fabricating the night light of the present invention;

3,248,530 Patented Apr. 26, 1966 FIGURE 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view in which the bottom half of the exploded view is taken on line II-H of FIGURE 1 and the top half of FIGURE 2 is taken in an opposite direction showing additional details of construction of the module of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is-a somewhat schematic view of a sonic welding apparatus showing the fabrication of the device of the present invention wherein the two modules of FIGURE 2 are welded together in an integral unit;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view with parts shown in elevation of the assembled night light combined with an electrical switch and receptacle;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the finished article;

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view of the night light of FIGURE 5; p

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the night light enclosure; and 7 FIGURE 8 is a view of the entire combination in operative relationship in a wall socket of a room and showing the selective adjustable positioning of the device in dotted and full lines.

As shown on the drawings:

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the night light and refreshant dispenser is made as a plastic article and constitutes a plastic material which is suitably translucent, thereby to softly diffuse rays of light therethrough and which material can also be shaped into a rigid article having pleasing aesthetic lines and features. I

It is specifically contemplated by the present invention that a modular construction be utilized wherein a twopiece enclosure is combined into an integral article through the utilization of identical modules, one of which is shown in FIGURE 1.

Thus, there is provided a module shown generally at M which includes a side wall 10 and a side wall 11 disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis. There is also provided an end wall which may be referred to herein as a front wall 12 as well as an end wall which may be referred to herein as a rear wall 13. A bottom wall shown generally at 14 is also provided, the combined front, rear, side and bottom walls 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming a generally cup-shaped enclosure.

The rear wall 13 is particularly characterized by having formed therein a semi-circular opening 16. Projecting axially from the rear wall 13 and surrounding the edges of the semi-circular opening 16 is a semi-circular flange 17. The flange terminates in a radial shoulder 18 and has a smooth bore surface 19.

In order to reinforce the flange 17 and in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of solidity, there is provided between the rear wall 13 and the flange 17 one or more strengthening ri-bs shown at 20. In the present embodiment, there are two such ribs 20 on each module, one being disposed on each side of the longitudinal axis roughly midway between the central axis and the outside edge of the rear wall 13.

The rear wall 13 is also characterized by the formation therein of a venting aperture 21 preferably formed in the edges of the opening 16 and communicating the interior of the module with the space outside of the module between the reinforcing ribs 20, 20.

It will be noted from an inspection of the drawings that the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 are disposed in respect to the longitudinal axis of the fixture in view of the fact that the end wall 12 is narrower in width than the end wall 13. Also, the side walls and 11 are angularly inclined to taper somewhat towards the open end of the module M.

The bottom wall 14 of the module M is composed of four separate panels including triangular end panels 14a and 14b and rhomboid side panels 140 and 14d. Each of the panels extends inwardly in angularly inclined relation, thereby providing an open-mouth reservoir having a bottom surface which is inclined towards a point which extends inwardly to the greatest extent indicated at R and which point is in nearest proximity to a light bulb B when situated within the interior of the night light construction.

All of the walls 10, 11, 12 and 13 are characterized by a stepped construction, having a narrower cross-section nearest the bottom wall 14 and having a series of stepped ribs 15 progressively increasing in wall thickness towards the open side of the module M.

The walls 10, 11, 12, 13 terminate in a flat planar abutment surface 22 which may sometimes be referred to herein as a lip since the respective abutment surfaces 22, 22 of a pair of modules M are adapted to engage against one another. At the respective four corners of the surface 22 there is provided pin and recess detent means which serve to pilot and locate the modules in proper registration for assembly. In order to provide identical modules capable of stockpiling for mass production, the pin and recess detent means may take the form of pins 23 on opposite diagonally disposed corners and recesses 24 on diagonally opposed corners.

It is contemplated by the present invention that a pair of modules M be fabricated and assembled by use of an ultrasonic technique, thereby completely eliminating the necessity of solvents, heat, or adhesives. Accordingly, there is shown in FIGURE 3 an ultrasonic apparatus whereby ultrasonic vibrations may be transmitted to the confronting abutment surfaces 22 for instantaneous joining. The vibratory energy induced into the plastic material causes a heating effect at the inner face of the two surfaces 22, 22. The material then flows together and forms a welddirectly below the point of sonic contact.

In accordance with this technique, ultrasonic vibrations are emitted from a vibrating horn coupled into the plastic by touching one of the two parts being joined. The vibrating plastic remains cool except at the seam where there is a rapid dissipation of energy. Welding occurs almost instantaneously around the periphery of the objects but does not occur where the tip of the horn engages the workpiece.

The apparatus shown in FIGURE 3 constitutes a high frequency electrical power supply shown generally at 26 coupled as at 27 to a mechanical impedance transformer shown generally at 28 which amplifies the vibration and concentrates them at the output end 29 of a plunger 30 connected to the converter 28 and which plunger 30 functions as the vibrating horn of the ultrasonic device.

The high frequency electrical power supply is of the general type utilizing an electronic solid state power supply which converts the usual electrical source at 115 volts and 60 cycles per second electrical energy into 300 volts and 20,000 cycles per second electrical energy. This high frequency electrical energy is then fed into an electrostrictive device called a transducer or converter which converts the electrical energy into 20,000 cycles per second vibrational energy. The vibrations are amplified and induced through the mechanical impedance transformer 28, which is also referred to as a horn andthe vibrations are transmitted through the plunger 30 to the tip 29 for transmission to the plastic articles.

In the mechanical arrangement of FIGURE 3, the transformer 28 or horn is mounted on a jig or apparatus to afford vertical freedom. Thus, there is a base plate 31 from which arises an upright stanchion 32 carrying a frame 33 supporting the transformer 28.

A hand actuating lever 34 operates to impart the desired vertical movement to the plunger 30, thereby permitting a pair of modules M, M to be inserted between the base plate 31 and the tip 29 of the plunger 30.

The lowermost module is positioned with its open side upwardly on the base plate and the upper module M is then placed with the abutment surface 22 in edge engagement with the corresponding abutment surface 22 of the lowermost module.

The tip 29 may be conformably shaped to the lower or bottom wall 14 of the module, thereby permitting the plunger to have good edge engagement with an end surface of the walls 10, 11, 12 and 13, which edge is shown at 25. Thus, the ultrasonic waves of energy are transmitted directly through the walls 10, 11, 12 and 13 and upon reaching the abutment surface 22, 22, create vibrations which in turn create friction and the subsequent conversion of mechanical energy into heat welds the joint surfaces 22, 22 into an integral joint.

It has been found that ultrasonic sealing appears to be more effective on some plastics than on others. Since the process involves a form of thermal fusion, the process is preferably exploited to its fullest extent by using a material in the walls 10, 1-1, 12. and 13 which is thermoplastic.

' Such plastics as general purpose and impacts polystyrenes,

nylon, polyacetal resins and high impact P-E are ideally suited for ultrasonic welding. Generally, it has been observed that plastics which have a high modulus of elasticity and a low melting temperature are the most easily sealed.

in accordance with the principles of the present invention, of course, it is also desirable to select a plastic which has good translucent properties since it is desirable that the night light enclosure provide a softly diffused light source which will be pleasant in appearance and effective for its intended purpose. Plastics which are presently available may be selected in colors which are particularly pleasing. One such plastic is polyamide or nylon.

It will be appreciated that the pin and recess detent means 23, 24 will keep the module parts aligned during the sonic welding and assist in bonding the joint.

The actual assembly time can be effected in a fraction of a second, although it is contemplated within the principles of the present invention that the actual time of contact may vary from a fraction of a second to no more than six seconds for a properly selected material. Moreover, of the strength of the joint is present within one second after the completed enclosure is disengaged from the plunger 30 and strength occurs after approximately only four seconds. Thus, there is completely eliminated the necessity of using drying ovens or other handling apparatus and the assembled night light enclosures can be handled in whatever manner is desired or necessary immediately after effecting the fabricating step of welding.

The edges of the flange 17 are relieved as at 36, thereby to form an axial slot on diametrically opposed portions of the cylindrical sleeve formed by the semi-cylindrical flanges 17. Thus, the complete circumferentially continuous cylindrical sleeve forms a good friction fit coupling for engaging a correspondingly sized collar 40 on the end of an electrical switch and receptacle shown generally at 4-1. The switch and receptacle 41 comprises a generally cylindrical housing having a radial end wall 42 from which project two male contact prongs 43 which project axially from the end wall 42 for insertion into an outlet socket 44 constituting a wall socket connected to the usual domestic supply of electricity. The receptacle housing has an enlarged base portion 46 immediately adjacent the end wall 42 and the collar 40 is a reduced diameter portion and urrounds a crew-threaded light bulb socket for receiving the base of the light bulb B in screw-threaded assembly therewith.

The receptable housing also has an intermediate portion 47 between the collar and the base portion 46 which forms a radial shoulder 48 at the bottom of the collar 40.

The intermediate portion 47 is sized so that the radial shoulder 48 provides a stop and abutment surface for engaging the end wall 18 of the flanges 17, 1-7.

The housing of the switch and receptacle 41 contains an electric switch having a manual actuating portion projecting radially outwardly through an opening 49 and which actuating portion is indicated at 50.

In usage, the completed enclosure is fitted on the collar 40 as shown in FIGURE 4 and may be selectively positioned with either reservoir disposed uprightly as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 8, or as shown in FIGURES 4, 6 and 7. Alternatively, the enclosure may be positioned sideways as shown in full lines in FIGURE 8.

Although the device will function solely as a night light, it will be appreciated that the multiple reservoirs provided by the enclosure afford the possibility of selective use of at-omizing different refreshants. For example, by positioning one of the reservoirs uprightly and placing a drop of perfume or a small quantity of cologne or shave lotion in the reservoir, the thermal energy dissipated by the light bulb B will atomize the refreshant and disperse the same throughout the room. If the user desires to change the refreshant, he may merely turn the enclosure through a 180 displacement, thereby positioning the other reservoir uprightly and a different refreshant may be placed therein. By positioning the enclosure sideways, a wider horizontal diffusion pattern of light may be effected.

The enclosure may be readily removed for replacement of a light bulb or for washing in the event it is necessary or desirable to clean the outside surface thereof.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A combination night light and refreshant dispenser comprising,

an electrical switch and bulb receptacle having an annular collar,

a light bulb in said receptacle and projecting yond said collar,

a two-piece enclosure for said bulb,

said enclosure including a front wall, a rear wall and at least two side Walls,

- said rear wall including an axially projecting flange engaging said collar in friction fit assembly, said enclosure including panel means extending inwardly from each of said walls inwardly of the ends thereof providing open reservoirs and thereby dividing the area between said walls into two external open-mouthed reservoirs and a bulb compartment, said enclosure being made of a light translucent material with air vents in said enclosure so that the enclosure may be employed as a night light and different refreshants may be selectively placed in said reservoirs for atomization by the thermal energy dissipated through said panel means.

2. A combination night light and refreshant dispenser as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by each piece of said two-piece enclosure constituting a cup-shaped module having side walls terminating in a lip disposed at the extremities of the side walls, said modules confronting one another with said lips inedge engagement,

and a unitary integral sonic weld joint at said lip bonding said modules in firm assembly with one another.

6. A combination night light and refreshant dispenser as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said axially projecting flange extending circumferenti-ally to axially besurroundingly engage said collar but having at least one longitudinally extending narrow slot formed therein to promote an adjustable friction fit with said collar, whereby the enclosure may be positioned selectively with either reservoir upright, sideways, or in any other selected angular position.

4. A combination night light and refreshant dispenser as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ribs extending between said rear wall and said flange to reinforce said flange.

-5'. In combination,

a wall socket connected to a usual domestic source of electricity and having a two-prong outlet socket therein,

an electrical switch and receptacle comprising a generally cylindrical housing having an end wall,

two male contact prongs projecting axially from said end wall for insertion into said outlet socket, said receptacle housing having an enlarged base pontion adjacent said end wall and a reduced diameter collar at the other end,

said other end having a screw-threaded light bulb socket for receiving the base of a light bulb in screw-threaded assembly therewith,

said receptacle housing having an intermediate port-ion between said collar and said base portion forming a radial shoulder at the bottom of said collar,

a light bulb in said bulb socket and projecting axially forwardly of said collar,

and an enclosure for said bulb,

said enclosure comprising a two-piece modular enclosure,

each module of said enclosure having front, rear, side and bottom walls together with one another forming a generally cup-shaped article,

said rear wall having a semi-circular opening formed therein and having a flange projecting axially from said wall at the edges of said openmg,

a pair of spaced apart ribs extending between said rear wall and said flange to reinforce said flange,

said rear wall further including a slotted venting aperture formed therein, said bottom wall having plural panels extending inwardly to form a reservoir for receiving a supply of refreshant when positioned uprightly, said reservoir surrounded by the outermost edges of said front, rear and side walls, I each module having at the opposite edges of said front, rear and side walls a flat abutment surface formed with spaced mating pin and recess detent means,

two of said modules confronting one another in edge engagement at said flat abutment surfaces with the pin and recess means thereof in mated relation,

and an integral weldment bonding said modules into unitary assembly to form an enclosure and having reservoirs on opposite sides thereof and including a ring-shaped flange on said rear wall,

the confronting edges of said flanges being relieved to form a narrow slot on each side of said ringshaped flange, thereby promoting an adjustable friction fit with said collar, whereby the enclosure may be positioned selectively with either reservoir upright, sideways or in any other selected angular position,

the end of said ring-shaped flange abutting said radial shoulder at the bottom of said collar,

circumferentially extending ribs on said side, front and rear walls to enhance the decorative appearance of the enclosure and to assist in heat dissipation,

7 and a switch in said housing to selectively energize the bulb,

said modules being made of a light translucent material so that the enclosure may be employed as a night light and different refreshants may be selectively placed in said reservoirs for atomization by the thermal energy dissipated through said bottom wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,075,364 3/ 1937 Smith 240-73 2,166,790 7/1939 Benander 24073 Rudolph 65--58 X Cri tzer 240-73 X Peters 21-120 X Montalbano 2J204 Bodine 15673 Hull 15673 Hawley 206-46 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland.

NORTON ANSI-BER, Primary Examiner.

J. F. PETERS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION NIGHT LIGHT AND REFRESHANT DISPENSER COMPRISING, AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND BULB RECEPTACLE HAVING AN ANNULAR COLLAR, A LIGHT BULB IN SAID RECEPTACLE AND PROJECTING AXIALLY BEYOND SAID COLLAR, A TWO-PIECE ENCLOSURE FOR SAID BULB, SAID ENCLOSURE INCLUDING A FRONT WALL, A REAR WALL AND AT LEAST TWO SIDE WALLS, SAID REAR WALL INCLUDING AN AXIALLY PROJECTING FLANGE ENGAGING SAID COLLAR IN FRICTION FIT ASSEMBLY, SAID ENCLOSURE INCLUDING PANEL MEANS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM EACH OF SAID WALLS INWARDLY OF THE ENDS THEREOF PROVIDING OPEN RESERVOIRS AND THEREBY DIVIDING THE AREA BETWEEN SAID WALLS INTO TWO EXTERNAL OPEN-MOUTHED RESERVOIRS AND A BULB COMPARTMENT, SAID ENCLOSURE BEING MADE OF A LIGHT TRANSLUCENT MATERIAL WITH AIR VENTS IN SAID ENCLOSURE SO THAT THE ENCLOSURE MAY BE EMPLOYED AS A NIGHT LIGHT AND DIFFERENT REFRESHANTS MAY BE SELECTIVELY PLACED IN SAID RESERVOIRS FOR ATOMIZATION BY THE THERMAL ENERGY DISSIPATED THROUGH SAID PANEL MEANS. 